Ship&#39;s ladder



- P. FULL.

SHIP'S LADDER. APPLICATION FILED JUNEZO, 1919;

Patented Aug. 10; 1920.

UNITED STATESHPATENT OFFICE.

Pn'rnn FULL, or vnnMILIon, OHIO.

snn s LADDER.

Application filed June 20,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER FULL, a citizen of the United States, and aresident, of Vermilion, county of Erie, and State of Ohio, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Ships Ladders, of which the following isa specification, the principle of the invention being herein explainedand the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle,so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention. relates to ships ladder of the type in which aseries of steps are suitably supported and carried by flexible members,such as ropes or cables which form the sides of the ladder. The presentimprovements relate particularly to the hereinafter described novelmeans for clamping the steps in position upon the ropes or cables. Tothe accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a. sectionof my improved ladder; Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the steps; Fig. 8is a vertical transverse section on the line 33, in Fig. 2; and F ig. 4is a transverse section on the line 44:, Fig. 2.

Ships ladders are ordinarily made by threading two ropes throughsuitable holes in boards and then fastening the boards at desired pointsalong the lengths of the ropes. The constructions in general use,however, are not entirely satisfactory. My improved ladder involves anew and relatively inexpensive means for securely clamping steps to theropes at the desired points by the use of simple and convenient means.

Each of the steps of my improved ladder consists of two plate-likemembers 1, each of which is provided with semi-circular correspondinglypositioned recesses 2 adjacent to either end and with a semi-oval,shaped opening or recess 3. along the center of the same side. Inaddition to the recess described above, each plate-like board isprovided with transverse openings therethrough Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

1919. Serial No. 305,658.

for receiving bolts 5 for clamping the two members together.Furthermore, each of the boards has its upper and lower surfaces 6 and 7curved and converging inwardly so that a depression is formed in thecenter of the step, which is constructed of the two cooperativesections, for the purpose of affording a hold for the shoe, and thusassisting the user to maintain himself upon the steps of the ladder. Anadditional advantage secured by the oval-shaped recesses in the steps isthat each of the steps constitutes a hand-hold and the user can secure afirm grip on the steps as he uses them by grabbing the narrowed andcut-away portions of the centers of the steps.

The means for clamping the steps upon the rope consists of twosemi-cylindrical clampsor members 8, which are used in pairs, one beingset into each of the recesses 2 adjacent to the ends of the steps. Thesemembers 8 are provided with encircling grooves 9 adapted to snuglyreceive therein the boards which constitute the steps, and are alsoprovided with inwardly extending shoulders 10.

In assembling a ladder the ropes or cables 11 are first laid out inparallel positions and the boards 1, with the clamps 8, alreadypositioned in the recesses, are then brought against opposite sides ofthe ropes and pressed firmly against the ropes and secured in thatposition by means of the transversely extending bolts 5. In this way,not only is a considerable clamping action placed upon the rope by thecylindrical inner surfaces'of the clamping members 8, but also theshoulders 10 are pressed firmly into the rope itself, therewith andprovide a positive and mechanical lock between the clamp and the ropes.The bolts 5 also hold the boards in secure engagement with the clampsand hence at fixed points along the rope by reason of the tongue andgroove engagement between the boards 2 and the recesses 9 in the outersurface of the clamps.

The present construction provides not only a better and more secure typeof ships ladder, but one which can be very readily assembled ordis-assembled for the replacement of wornout' or broken steps, and onein which the placing of the steps can be changed or adjusted as may bedesired.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of suiiiciently to engage the one explained, change being madeas relowing claims or the equivalent of such gardsthe mechanism hereindisclosed, provided the means stated by any of the folstated means beemployed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim'as 1. In, aships ladder, the combination of my inventlon flexible cables, twocooperative step plates mounted on opposite sides of saidxcables,cooperative 'cable-indenting and engaging members carried by able meansadapted to lock said plates and members together in firm engagement withsaid cables. j

2; In a ships ladder, the combination of flexible cables,'twocooperative step plates mounted on opposite sides of said cables,semi-cylindrical cable-engaging clamps removably carried by saidplatesand provided with means adapted to grip said cables, and meansadapted to lock said plates and clamps together in firm engagement withsaid cables.

73. In a ships ladder, the combination of flexible cables, twocooperative step plates mounted on opposite sides of said cables,semi-cylindrical cable-engaging clamps resaid plates, and adjust' suchrecesses 'andmeans movably carried by said plates, and means adapted tolock said plates and clamps together in firm engagement with saidcables, saidclamps and plates being interengaged when fastened togetheragainst said cables.

4:. In a shipls ladder, the combination oi flexible cables, twocooperative'step plates mounted on opposite sides of said cables,cooperative cable-engaging members carried by said plates, andsaidplates having corresponding recesses on, their adjacent sides and beingbeveled inwardly toward adapted to loci; said plates and memberstogether and in firm engagement. p

5. As an articleol manufacture, a step for a ladder comprising twoeoeperative plates having corresponding recesses on their adjacent sidesand being beveledinwardly toward such recesses.

6. As an article of manufacture, a step in a ladder having a centrallongitudinally extending concave depression formed in its upper face toform a foot-hold, substantially as described. I

Signed by me this 16th day of June, 1919.,

PETER FULL.

